ECE.02 – Pressure Reduction Magnet

• Kristy Bui
• David Castillo
• Daniel Gonzalez
• Jenny Iype
• Rj Webster

A primary cause of foot amputations is diabetic foot ulcers. According to research from John Hopkins Medicine, one-fourth of diabetic patients will encounter foot ulcers during their lifetime. As a result, medical professionals have focused on devising effective strategies and tools to prevent diabetic foot ulcers. A potential solution, proposed by Rosalind Franklin University, involves the implementation of a medical device installed within the sole of a shoe. The device will utilize magnets to induce magnetic fields, altering the viscosity of the ferrofluid in order to redistribute pressure on the foot and prevent diabetic foot ulcers in patients. Our objective was to develop magnets that could effectively alternate the magnetic fields while minimizing power consumption and heat generation. We investigated various types of electromagnets and, through a series of experiments, determined that heat was a byproduct of semi-permanent magnets. To overcome this challenge, we decided to adopt the use of permanent magnets, incorporating a mechanical system for optimal control. This approach provided a reliable solution to address alleviation in the key pressure points of the foot. Future refinements to this model will improve its effectiveness and assist engineers in expanding the growing body of knowledge in the medical therapeutic device industry.